The United States is in discussions regarding the sale of military equipment to Bangladesh

The United States has expressed interest in selling military weapons to Bangladesh to enhance interoperability and overall defense capabilities.  

The issue was a key agenda item during the visit of Lieutenant General Joel P. Vowell, Deputy Commanding General of the US Army Pacific, to Bangladesh on March 24-25. According to a press release issued by the US Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, Lieutenant General Vowell engaged in discussions with senior officials of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, reaffirming the US Army’s commitment to a strong bilateral relationship. He emphasized shared security interests and ongoing collaboration between the two nations.  

The meetings also acknowledged the Bangladesh Army’s role in domestic security, particularly in disaster response. Additionally, discussions covered Bangladesh’s primary military challenges and potential areas where the US could provide support.  

Lieutenant General Vowell also spoke about the upcoming military exercise “Tiger Lightning,” scheduled for summer 2025, and the potential acquisition of US-origin military equipment to strengthen interoperability and operational effectiveness.  

Praising the professionalism of the Bangladesh Army, he underscored the significance of well-trained military forces in maintaining regional stability.  

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Army, in a Facebook post, stated that Lieutenant General Vowell met with Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman on March 25, where they discussed ways to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of both countries.  

The US General also met with Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division (AFD), to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral defense relations, including training, joint exercises, and military cooperation. The AFD later confirmed the discussions in a tweet from its official X handle.